Support care workers to stop the spread

Care workers are on the frontline in the fight against Covid 19, yet they are some of our worst paid and most exploited workers.

While many of us are able to stay at home during this crisis and reduce the risk of infection, care workers often come into close contact with numerous service-users, increasing the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

Local authorities owe a duty of care to support these brave workers.

UNISON Eastern has written to social care leaders in all county and unitary authorities calling on them to commit to our minimum standards to cover all directly employed, commissioned and contracted workers.

Protect to PreventPriority testing for social care workers to limit the spread of disease to vulnerable patients and service users. Travel time to/from testing hubs must be paid, as well as mileage expenses incurred. Every worker has the right to a risk assessment.

Protect Pay
Full normal pay for all those required by government guidance to self-isolate or who become ill because of Covid 19. This includes all staff on zero-hour contracts, bank / relief contracts or multiple contracts.

Protect EmploymentEnsure no-one is dismissed or laid-off for staying at home to care for themselves or their family. Absence due to Covid 19 should be excluded from absence management triggers

Protect Families
Carers leave on full-pay for workers caring for a dependent who has Covid 19 or for whom childcare is unavailable.

You can show your support by downloading the pledge card below and sharing on social media. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If you haven’t got access to a printer, please contact us and we’ll send you a pledge card in the post.

If you’re a care worker and need to contact us about an issue at work, please speak to your branch or get in touch here.